What Are Nervous Habits of Dogs?

Any dog can become nervous, anxious and stressed if exposed to new places or unfamiliar situations. There are certain tendencies which commonly signify nervousness in most dogs. Awareness of these behaviors can potentially help prevent a bite situation.

  1. Pacing

    • Dogs will often pace and whine if they are nervous, stressed and/or out of their element. If you have recently adopted a dog, or if you are fostering a dog, you may notice that he constantly paces and does not want to lie down and relax.

    Panting

    • Panting can signify a stressed or nervous dog. You may notice your dog panting when you take him out of his usual element. However, if your dog is panting for no apparent reason, he may be in pain, and a trip to the veterinarian may be advisable.

    Lip Licking/Yawning

    • A stressed or nervous dog will often lick his lips and yawn. If you notice your own dog exhibiting these signs, it is best to remove him from the situation or introduce something positive to him, such as a treat.

    Other Body Signals

    • Stressed, nervous or anxious dogs may tuck their tail between their legs, avert their eyes or even shake. These are all clear signals that your dog is uncomfortable and stressed. Do not force your nervous dog into situations that increase his nervous behavior, as this may result in a fearful, aggressive response.

    Significance

    • It is important to be aware of the signs of nervousness in your own dog, and in other dogs. If dogs are pushed past their comfort zone, the subtle behaviors signifying stress may escalate to fearful aggression. Dogs will often go from eye aversion and lip licking to growling and even biting if they are pushed too far. Working on proper socializing (exposure to different people and places) when your dog is young can often prevent nervous behavior from starting when he is older.